| State | Vermont |
| Party | Democratic |
| Term | 7th |
| Committees | Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry; Appropriations; Judiciary (Chair) |
| Websites | http://leahy.senate.gov/ http://www.leahyforvermont.com/ |
| Links | |
"As an avid scuba diver, Senator Leahy has a great love for our oceans and the sea life that inhabits them. Once considered a limitless and inexhaustible resource, our oceans are now in jeopardy from the demands of a growing population that has depleted ocean and coastal resources. As the Chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Leahy has been a leader in supporting funding for the Coral Triangle Initiative which is focused on preserving coastal, littoral, and reef resources in the world's richest marine habitats with over 500 species of coral and 3,000 species of fish. Leahy has also supported efforts in the U.S. Senate to address the issue of marine invasive species that hitch a ride to new habitats either through the discharge of ballast water that ships carry for stability or by attaching to a ship's hull."
In his role as Chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Leahy has led the support for funding the Coral Triangle Initiative, which preserves coastal, littoral and reef resources in a sensitive habitat that is rich in biodiversity. He has also worked to address marine invasive species and received a perfect score from the League of Conservation Voters the past two years. Senator Leahy has been a true champion for Lake Champlain, directing $80 million to clean up and protect the “sixth Great Lake.” He introduced the Omnibus Mercury Act, a comprehensive mercury pollution control bill. Senator Leahy has also taken a leadership role in responding to the BP Gulf Oil Spill. He said that the spill shows the need for a comprehensive energy strategy driven by renewable energy. He has urged the Obama administration to greatly expand the amount of information agencies are releasing about the spill, and recently signed onto a letter seeking to block Transocean from issuing $1 billion in dividends to its shareholders at a time when they need to cover their liabilities in the Gulf.
Senator Leahy has cosponsored: